Read and comment on this Press Release from the Shrivers' Special Olympics on the announcement that the 2007 Special Olympics will be held in Shangai. Founding Director Sargent Shirver is shown on the left at the Press Conference which PCOL attended. Eunice Shriver Kennedy, the founder of Special Olympics is shown in the Center. Timothy P. Shriver, president and CEO of Special Olympics, is shown on the right. His Excellency Yang Jiechi, ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States, is shown second from the right. Read the story at:
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
It's China! The People's Republic Wins Bid For 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games; China Award...
May 24, 2002 - U.S. Newswire
WASHINGTON, May 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- By unanimous vote by the Special Olympics Board of Directors, the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games have been awarded to The People's Republic of China. Made today in both Shanghai and Washington, D.C. (USA), Special Olympics announced the host city for the 2007 World Games to be held in Shanghai. China will now play host, in a one-year period, to the world's largest multisport events: the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, the 2008 Paralympics Games and now the 2007 Special Olympics World Games. A landmark for any country, it is the first time the Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Asia and only the second time the World Summer Games will be held outside the United States.
Major factors in awarding the bid to China were the strong Special Olympics Program in China; substantial support from the central government of China, the municipal government of Shanghai and its business community; and the outstanding sports venues and accommodations.
The award of the bid comes nearly a year after the Chinese government introduced historic policy mandating the success of Special Olympics China's 5-year Plan for Growth to attract 500,000 new Special Olympics athletes by 2005.
At the event in Shanghai, the city's mayor, Chen Liangyu, expressed his support and enthusiasm. "Our city is exited to promote Special Olympics and its athletes from today to the 2007 World Games and into the future. I'm confident the city of Shanghai and its citizens will stage a wonderful games," he said.
Feng Guo Qin, vice mayor of Shanghai, made the bid presentation in London, England, in April to Special Olympics' international Board of Directors. The Board of Directors considered China's bid for the World Games to be the best in the history of Special Olympics, and the Shanghai Bid Committee received a standing ovation for its comprehensive and impressive campaign.
In Washington, D.C., His Excellency Yang Jiechi, ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States, said the Special Olympics 2007 World Summer Games will connect people with mental challenges to the general public all over the world. "They will enhance the general public's understanding of the needs and aspirations of people with mental challenges," said Ambassador Yang.
In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials, and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.
"China is our movement's future," said Timothy P. Shriver, president and CEO of Special Olympics. "This pioneering effort to bring the Special Olympics message to the largest nation on earth opens the chance for change, for with sports achievement comes achievement in family, in school, on the job and in life."
Shriver continued, "Now, China's additional pledge of support and guidance for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games clearly will catapult opportunities for children and adults with mental disabilities worldwide."
"The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be a bridge between persons with mental disabilities and the general community," said Deng Pufang, honorary chairman, Special Olympics China, and chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation. "Most importantly, it will help maximize the potential of these people."
Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 20 different Olympic-type sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football (soccer), golf, gymnastics, handball, judo, powerlifting, roller skating, sailing, softball, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. Throughout the week of competition, athletes from around the world will display their athletic skill, determination and courage. Special Olympics athletes not competing in the World Games will play crucial leadership roles off the sports field as officials, assistant coaches, reporters, and spokespeople.
Special Olympics athlete and former Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Jia Sirui is already gearing up for the 2007 World Games. "I am so proud that my country is hosting the World Games. I look forward to seeing many new faces in China," said Sirui.
The People's Republic of China and its Special Olympics athletes are key to the movement's vision of doubling the number of participating athletes worldwide to 2 million by 2005. China's goal alone is literally half of Special Olympics' global goal. The current number of athletes in China is almost triple what it was in 2000 before the Special Olympics China 5-Year Plan for Growth was launched. China could possibly exceed the United States in athlete participation when the 500,000 athletes are recruited.
The vision of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games is to offer Special Olympics athletes, families and volunteers excellence in sports competition; build growing awareness of the worldwide impact of Special Olympics; celebrate the volunteer spirit; and increase opportunities and services for individuals with mental retardation. These Games will focus the world's attention on the everyday courage, abilities, leadership and achievements of Special Olympics athletes from every corner of the globe.
The Special Olympics World Games are held every two years, alternating between Winter and Summer World Games. The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be the 12th World Summer Games. Past Special Olympics World Summer Games have been held in Raleigh, N.C.; New Haven, Conn. and the upcoming 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Dublin, Ireland, June 20-29, 2003. The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Nagano, Japan, and are tentatively scheduled to occur from Feb. 26 - March 5, 2005.
Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. More than 1 million athletes in more than 150 countries train and compete in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with mental retardation continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics.
The benefits of participation in Special Olympics for people with mental retardation include improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence, a more positive self-image, friendships, and increased family support.
Special Olympics is grateful to its Global Partners -- The Coca- Cola Company, Eastman Kodak Company, The Phoenix Companies, Inc., Lions Club International -- for providing ongoing funding and support to its global mission.
Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org.
---
Editors: High-resolution photo available for free editorial use at http://www.wirepix.com/newsphotos /USN/ http:// www.usnewswire.com
Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Service; Peace Corps - Directors
